Madrid Triathlon: World Series

Here comes Kelly Holmes, the crowd are on their feet. Denise Lewis, an

Previously, Great Britain tasted victory, as well as bitter

disappointment. Now, in the cauldron of Madrid, we have come

full circle. Olympic qualification started here in the Spanish capital

In this city this weekend, many Olympic dreams will end. It is last

call to London. So, this is it - at the final chance for many

triathletes they deserve to compete at the Olympic Games. Some big

names who have qualified are missing from Madrid, most notably

Javier Gomez, who is recovering from the flowers. We were hoping to

see Alistair Brownlee, but as he hinted, this race was always going

to be a big ask as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury. His

younger brother is here, on a The first race in San Diego was a

good race. I was a shot I was going to race at the seven months of not

doing a triathlon. It is a shame it is only two weeks ago because it is

hard to recover from. Getting over jet-lag and the race itself. I am

feeling fresh and I have been training well. This course suits me,

it is a tough course, and I am looking forward to racing and doing

the best I can. Alastair did want to raise, he is gutted he has

missed it because it is a cause he loves. He has made lots of

comebacks before, every year he has raised tear coming he has made a

comeback. If it was a week later, he could have raced, but

unfortunately he can't. Strong Yorkshire boys, but we don't really

showed that emotion. Alastair will say, I'm missing the race and I

would love to be their. That he gets on with what he loves, and

what he does but he will miss the racing. There is no Javier Gomez,

no Alastair and they are very prominent people in the race.

Triathlon is a sport where anything can happen. Different races suit

different people. It is a race where people have to qualify in

their own right. Some athletes are very strong. The British people are

here as well, it is still a good competition. London is definitely

the biggest race to think about. This winter kind of showed that.

Every week coming back to do interviews with the BBC being

interested now and newspapers interested, coming on to television

more, people recognising the more on the St. The Olympics is what the

general public understand. They do think the people -- they do think

of the only race I am going to train for this it is the Olympics,

they ask me how my training is going for the Olympics. When I tell

them I'm going to Madrid, and they wonder why am going. With that

Johnny and Alastair said during their tickets to London last year,

there is only one spot left on the British men's team and five

athletes. Tim Don and William Clarke who is ranked 9th last year.

Two triathletes who say they are aiming for the place at the Games

to play two different roles. People have given up on it individually

except myself. I am ranked number two in the world at the moment are.

I have got to give it everything and tight -- focus on it. I am

going in with a different progress to work hard on the swimming and

Will looking for somebody to step up to us stand alongside Johnny,

Alastair and Helen and be in a position to drive for a medal. Or

they are looking for people to step up who can help those people win a

medal. Can you explain how that can help in a swim and on a bike and if

they can do anything on a run. Whoever they pick will be getting

out of the water behind them. There will possibly be a breakaway in the

swim, so it is getting on to that and keeping it away from those

behind who are chasing. My was thinking about this guy Cycling

team and Mark Cavendish and he has an entourage of people who have

been training to get him across the line first in a gold medal position.

That is amazing teamwork. He we are, eight weeks from the Olympic Games,

and we don't know who those people can be macros --. A third person in

the mix would be another person to help make it happen. If you get a

puncture like Alastair did in the Europeans last year, it is somebody

else who can help him back into the race. In the meantime Johnny is

getting on with and winning the race from the front. It is crunch

time in the Spanish heat, the battle for the final men's place on

Team GB has reached boiling point. Team GB has reached boiling point.

You commentator for the men's race is Matt Chilton. That is the seen

from above the pontoon. -- start laps of this lady in the middle of

the largest urban park or worst of central Madrid. And they will leave

the water once and then diving for the second leg. What a sight of

that is, a terrific start to. A total of 68 starting. 1,500 metres

in the water. It is the Russian who has made a really good start in the

water, which is a very pleasant. Very, very important. The bike

courses very tough. Every do get a group going away, they will be hard

to catch up. Jonathan Brownlee repeat his win hat in the warm-up

and there was a few minutes of panicking before they found him a

replacement a. Look how much the swim has spread out already.

Everything at stake, not just the Brits, but all countries looking to

get their last athlete qualified. Another look at the start. No

problems like we had in San Diego with men going early. Everybody got

a way quite early there into the lake. Things are beginning to work

themselves, the arrowhead beginning to form as they hit the yellow

inflatable sport a. The first man showing his number 61 and that is

Richard Wagner from Slovakia. He is a leading them through. Two yellow

inflatables to go round a. Slovakian was very clear before the

race he would make it tough and try to get away. He has a chance to get

to the Games through the small nations through Europe. He is

making this a very honest swim. Jonathan Brownlee, number five is

up what the leaders. Had the lead in San Diego, the second world

Championship series events of the season. Did not make it to Sydney,

so this is his second WCRS events of the year, hoping for two wins in

a row. Such a key events, everybody wants to do well and nobody wants

to miss out on the Olympic Games in Hyde Park on August 7th for the

MEND stopped it is tough for the Brits, we have Jonathan and

Alastair already selected. sorts of rumours, is there somebody

good enough. The criteria is, will they get a medal? They may be

looking at deferred athlete in the men's race to ask as a domestic. So

many who is there to help. And this could be crucial in the Great

Britain selectors thinking. whole selection process remains to

be decided. We know Helen Jenkins is going, we know both Alastair and

Jonathan will be representing Great Britain. The rest of the pieces of

the puzzle remains to be put in place. Map complete the first of

two laps. There will come out of the water on a ramp and then they

will run along the pontoon and dive back in. Plenty of time to see some

of the spectacle around the sport. It looks like it is the Slovakian,

No. 61 who will be first out. Good swimmer from him. Key did say he

was going to go for it. He has but Jonathan Brownlee in a great

halfway across the lake while others are still diving in to start

the second lap. That gives you a good idea looking back from the

leader towards the pontoon just how the field has spread during the

first 775 metres of this when. looking at the Slovakian from head

on, what a beautiful stroke. And the water is so clear, you can see

the wide, high elbow definition underneath. The guys who are

following him it will be delighted he is giving them a clean swim,

almost getting into the single line apart from seeing this situation

going around the inflatables. late, in the middle of the park

which is 6.5 square miles in area. Madrid zoo is within the park and a

big amusement centre as well. Some of the swimmers getting caught on

the turn, getting elbows and hands in the face. Very nasty, they need

to find a way around as cleanly as possible, but it is easier said

than done. Surprising on the second lap, you expected to on the first

lap, on the first inflatable, but as it has stretched out, maybe a

couple of the swimmers trying to go inside and then being forced almost

into the inflatable. By the looks of things at the moment, we will

have a group going on to the back, which is a 40 kilometres. 12 or 15

Bryukhankov. And Alessandro Fabian. They set into the transition to

pick up their bicycles. They will have it laps around the park, a

hugely difficult course. Full of all sorts of technically demanding

elements. We spoke to the athletes about this. This will be tough, it

has a big hill and it makes it great to watch. It is tough to

climb and it goes on, you think you're at the top and it keeps

going. Re the tough, eight laps around that caused his release

sapping. It can change things. If you are not strong enough on a bike,

you will not run fast. Aaron Harris coming through for Great Britain.

The helmets go on. And the sunglasses as well. There is Jonny

Brownlee. He will not worry too much about losing his place.

Brownlee wants to be within the leaders as they head out to begin.

Jonny Brownlee said he wanted a hard some, very hard bike on this

course and then to see what would happen with what he considers to be

an honest run. Working hard from that front, right from the very

first. That is a tough climb, coming out of the transition.

can see downtown Madrid with the skyscrapers. Riding with one of the

Spanish athletes, now. Their best in the past few years. Javier Gomez.

He has not taken place in the World Championship events. In different

circumstances, we have not yet seen Alistair Brownlee because of his

injury. Jonny Brownlee, we saw what he did it in San Diego. If he is

second in the world and in his family at the moment, allegedly,

you can just imagine what the rest of the world will think. If he sets

out his stall, you have to say, this is the kiss of death but the

rest of the world are looking at these brothers and they are faring

them. The second group, six riders. Hoping to close the gap. At the

head of things, Alexander Bryukhankov, from Russia, he

finished in 5th place in Sydney. The Russians have some very

talented guys. They are outside chances for medals in Hyde Park in

early August. Jonathan Brownlee, the left of the screen. Putting the

pressure on his opponents. Making them work hard as they come to the

end of lap one. Elapsed time, 26.5 minutes. Through the transition for

the first time. Maik Petzold. Alexander Bryukhankov. And the

Italian, Alessandro Fabian. And Dmitry Polyanskiy, one of the

highly fancied Russians. Stuart Hay is coming through. One of the

longest serving members of the British team. Always a good lad, I

hope he does well. Will Clarke and Stuart Hayes. They are looking at

each other. I have the utmost respect for Alexander Bryukhankov,

he is a big man and you get a tough course like this and he is lagging

with that extra weight. But he will do his work right the way through

to make sure when they come off on to the second discipline, he will

give himself a chance. And he isn't built like a classic 10,000 metres

runner but he is so powerful, he puts himself into contention in

every single race. The intense heat, not much of an opportunity to get

any shade on the bikes. The trees are not offering too much shade.

Jonny Brownlee. Increasing the pace. Maik Petzold, from Germany, his

father was one of the first-ever triathlete for East Germany. In the

early 1980s. Stuart Hayes. Up with the leaders. And the second group,

getting closer, towards the front. They will be hoping to join up and

work together as a group of 25 or 30. We could have one huge group

cent. The gap is closing between the lead group and the chasers. The

transition. We have seen them going past, can they catch up? It will be

a big ask, Johnny is striving hard. That group is quite strong. They

have also been given instructions on what they are looking for for

domestic and they need to show that only that they have a horse power

to make a difference but the intelligence to make a difference.

That does not mean chasing everything that goes. Elaborate on

those thoughts? He was not saying. One would hesitate at the

instructions might be that maybe we do not work too hard so we can get

Jonny Brownlee away. That is the inference I would take an be

referred to the Cycling format and that is what we have seen, if you

have the leader in your group a way, your job is to back off so we do

not get the break on. That lead of over one minute already in the

Cycling, that is stunning and that will be so hard to close down.

men making up the lead group. Food is that we're will belong to? One

of the Russians. This is the chase group. That is a big pack of 30 or

so. We are not baking in roads. We have a big group presence. We saw

Will Clarke and Stuart Hayes, not yet Tim Don, one of the very few

athletes who have been in three Olympic Games. He would love to

make the new Olympics on his home territory. Londoner through and

through. Up again, Jonny Brownlee, he has been at the front throughout.

He will be barking orders to the others, telling them that he will

not do all the work himself and he needs to keep pace. He is a very

vocal athlete in the middle of a race. And you have Alexander

Bryukhankov, more than happy to call himself the same way. Even the

swimming, he came out, looking at 10 and followed him in transition

and thought, let's go within every single time. This is his first

transition after the swim. Very calm and collected, the 22 year-old

from the University of Leeds currently in the middle of a

history degree. I am not quite sure he is giving that his full

attention at the moment! He was in Beijing and the World Championship

event last year, the World Championship event, he took gold.

In the intense heat in Switzerland last August. Still nine of them,

out front, nobody has made that trip from the chase group to join

the leaders. Number four. Sven Riederer, the Olympic bronze

medallist. In Athens. Some of these guys have had such long careers. We

often talk about the ultimate length of world level, 10 - 12

years and some of these guys have been there for that amount of time

and with the 4th Olympic Games, being London, everybody wants to

race in London. We are possibly the best triathlete nation in the world.

We talk about America and Australia but the British, they look to us to

see what they can be doing. Dmitry Polyanskiy, banning out early. That

might be a tactical problem. Back with the leaders. There were nine

of them and there are still nine of them. Nobody has made that decisive

break. Working together. Of the nine men in there, he is confident

they the best through 10,000 metres. He is, he will be relishing this,

he will not mind doing as much work as he is being asked to do because

if we have big runners in the second pack, there is no

opportunity for them to catch up. If they keep extending that time

difference, lapped by lap. We have some tight turns on this but with

that small leading pack of nine athletes, there is the first sight

of Tim Don. Just behind Will Clarke. And Stuart Hayes. The three Brits

he would be looking for that third spot, all together and being very

aware of each other. Well one of them get a slot? That is the big

question that will be answered on June the eighth, when the

announcement will be made, the final team will be presented to the

media on June the eighth. Three Russians in the leading pack,

Dmitry Polyanskiy. Alexander Bryukhankov. Great performances by

the Russians. They give everything. Jonny Brownlee will not having them

around. Tremendous stuff. And Alessandro Fabian, he is having one

of the best races I have ever seen throughout his career. They head

towards the next hill in the park. Rehydrate in, getting that energy

and the food down them. No. 2, Alexander Bryukhankov. And

Alessandro Fabian, the Italian, in illustrious company. We have not

seen too much in the past but I gather he is very highly rated.

is good. He has got better year rankings year by year and this is

the Olympic year, this is the opportunity, the one that everybody

wants to be in. You just know, as you said, with Jonny Brownlee being

focal, he will be encouraging everybody else to do the work and

it looks like the a working together extremely well, just to

have so much lead time. Through their Come, Dmitry Polyanskiy in

amongst that Group, 26 years old and from Moscow but originally from

Siberia. His great hero was Alexander Popov, the 50 metres

summer. One lap to go. Jonathan Brownlee, he leads, Alexander

Bryukhankov. First out of the water. Aurelien Raphael. Alessandro Fabian.

And Dmitry Polyanskiy. Untroubled as they exit the transition for one

more attack around the park. The final lap coming up in this World

Championships series. The awareness of Jonny Brownlee, somebody takes

the lead, he looks up and he just looks over his shoulder to see if

that he has established. A vocal, he certainly is. Commanding the

Slade. Getting the others working with him and for him. And the time

difference, I am sure we will see it sometimes in... Look at that.

Two minutes. You do not see that at this level very often. Two minutes

and 18 seconds between the first man through and the next, the first

guy in the chase back. That includes Tim Don, Stuart Hayes and

one or two other Olympic wannabes from the British team. David MacNee,

29th place. Unable to keep tabs on the script. It is still great

riding at the front. I answer to my memory to think there has ever been

anybody capable of closing that two-minute gap coming up to the

second lap and the only person is back in Sydney. That is of a one

decade ago. At this level, the present level, that will be

impossible. Will Clarke has lodged a breakaway at the front of the

chase group, he has only managed to get 10 metres advantage over the

rest of them. They will swallow him up pretty quickly. Not much

happening. Out in front, the lead group, towards the transition. Look

at those feet. They will start to prepare nice and early. Jonathan

Brownlee on the left. He has his feet out of his shoes and resting

them on the pedals. The pedals and shoes are one single unit. And they

arrive at the dismount. The Blue Flag. They have to hit the carpet

on their bare feet. Jog towards the allotted. In transition, everything

is by the book. The bike has to be hung up and the helmet has to go

into the plastic box. The shoes go on quickly. Tightened nice and

quickly and away they go. That was quick by Jonny Brownlee. He is away.

Alongside the Slovakian. First in and first out. Richard Varga. What

has happened? Alessandro Fabian. He isn't running. Something has gone

seriously wrong. I think he was transition, but I feel sorry for

him. A real problem. Tim Don has arrived, a couple of minutes down.

Now is his chance to strike his last chance, possibly to gain a

Olympic selection. While all that has been going on, John Lee

Brownlee has broken away. He looks fall of running and is sprinting

away from the rest of them. Determined to open up a decent gap.

And he almost collided with the motorcycle on that bend. It is all

happening here. Johnny Brownlee leading the way. I think we will

head down back to transition where we are talking to the British

triathlon performance coach. Johnny has a huge lead of 2.5 minutes on

the other Brits, this race is over? It is as far as the Brits, no one

will catch him. Honest from him, and honest running from Johnny

Brown late. The Russian was the man who had the determination. Tim Don

the sitting forlornly at the side of the cause. The looks as if his

dream of competing in the Olympic Games is at an end. Tim Don has

withdrawn from the Madrid triathlon. Look at the easy style of Jonathan

Brownlee. He is built like a 10,000-metre runner. The Russian is

a big man. But he has guts. Kiwis the one he went with him and has

got ahead of the chasers. -- he was the one. Johnny Brownlee has just

absolutely torn this field a part. Utmost respect the other Russian

coming through. Look at the pain and his face false start his eyes

are covered up. Russia are having a great day, second and third at the

moment. But this is the man at class apart from the rest of the

world, apart from his brother who is coming back from injury very

soon as. Jonathan Brownlee takes the bell and begins his final lap.

Great performance from Johnny Brown lead. All the applause coming

through, still a lap to go. He is not acknowledging that, total focus

and concentration. He has been in hot conditions, and he knows he

needs one focal point in his mind to go through its. The Russian

currently in second. Finished 24th in Beijing four years ago. 11th

over all in the 2011 World Championship standings. I don't

think he is as shattered as he looks. Nothing he makes it look

more painful than it is. It is to scare all the other Russian is

coming up and overtaking him. all about one name in world

triathlon at the moment. Jonathan Brownlee, but his brother will be

at home watching this. Happy for his brother, I am sure, but

frustrated he is unable to give his brother a run for his money. It is

time for him to start enjoying the moment in Madrid. He did not like

the trip to Sydney and opted out of that one. He has so much advantage

over the rest of the field and he is still looking like he is

cruising. He is directed on to the blue carpet to enjoy the moment.

Jonathan Brownlee about it finished in under one hour, 52 minutes. What

an incredible performance from Jonathan Brownlee. No one could go

with him, as soon as he left transition, after depositing his

bike he was in a different league. He can slalom his way towards the

finish and soak up the atmosphere in Madrid. Johnny Brownlee wins

again, as he did in San Diego. Right now, there is nobody to touch

him. Congratulations. Mule of the course,

and it loves You? He is the perfect race. I wanted to break out after

the swim and we had a great time. The bike was a great pack. Everyone

was working very well together. Congratulations on your gold medal.

I am very happy. This weekend it is the Johnny's course. This weekend

for start the Russian is in second position and he waits and watches

as his team mate, Dmitri parley and ski, the Siberian comes home to

finish in third position. Aside from John Reid Brownlee's

when it wasn't a good day for the British team. Withdraw roles for

Tim Don and Will Clarke. Needed not finish, are you OK? My goal was to

swim as well as I could and show the selection team what I can go

and I think I did that. You think you sent the right message to the

selection team? On the first lap of the bike, I was the strongest in my

pack. I think they notice that. Confirmation of a stunning win for

Johnny Brownlee by 40 seconds ahead the gold medal in 2012,

representing Great Britain, Jonathan Brownlee! Johnny Brownlee

steps up onto the podium and I would imagine he is casting his

mind forward to the podium that it really matters this summer, coming

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds

for the playing of the national The women's line-up is also without

it world champion, Helen Jenkins. With a gold medal and silver in the

bag already this season, she has decided to take a rest. We found

San Diego was one of my best races ever. I felt great on the day, had

a really good swim. And the run was fantastic and I felt brilliant.

Hopefully I can replicate that again. Sydney and San Diego have

gone really well, with a second and it a first. There was no need to

get another race in. I decided to have an easy week after San Diego

Mark had already booked the flight still go out, to look at the race

and see what is happening. You can always gain knowledge from watching

competitors. Andrea will be up there. And Aileen Morrison, who has

had a great string of results recently. Paula and Andrea are two

of that big favourites. Andrea has not been off the podium since last

year. She is very consistent. Paula has obviously, I think she has one

more triathlon series races than any one. There is always the

Australians as well, you can never count them out. It is nice not to

be racing everyone in every race. When you get to the Olympics and

you are on the start line, you don't know what to expect from the

competitors. There is a lot more hype, and I have been away for two

months., so to come back, even if I had not done so well in San Diego,

I would have felt the Olympic spirit getting bigger. There is

more press and the tensions. It definitely put a little bit more

pressure on myself for having a good few races. The main difference

is a lot more people watching, more people will care what happens. As

an athlete, it is the same distance, the same athletes, the same

officials. It is trying to keep it in perspective and focus on that,

rather than all the other hype and pressures. Two more female trier

things can join her in Team GB, unlike the men's this race is there

final test before selectors close their doors for deliberations. Liz

Blatchford and Vicky Holland came 5th in San Diego. But both goals

could miss out if British triathlon decide to use team tactics and a

walk the spots two athletes they feel are better suited to help

Helen get a medal. -- award. It is the last qualifying race, but when

you go into a race knowing you have done everything you can to put

yourself into a position to have a good result, you have to go out

there on the day and show what you're capable of. We have had our

selection policy for a long time, and I have not met the criteria to

be chosen out right, but going as a domestique, is not so bad. That is

what this race is what the selectors are looking at, who would

be good to help Helen in the Olympics. The why would British

triathlon embrace this idea of having a domestique so much? A lot

of money has been put into UK Sports to help us succeed and get

medals. By putting a domestique in, we enhance the chances of our guys

to have shown they can get medals, to actually win medals. One of the

Brits in Madrid this weekend is a Abbey, who is a one of the

strongest winners, would she make a good domestique? She is one of the

people selectors will be looking at. She is one of the strongest

swimmers in the sport and she will make the fun packs. She is a strong

cyclist. In her own right as a trap first, she is not so strong running.

But she is ranked inside the top 140 and we have been working with

her. You sound like perfect domestique material? I hope so, but

you don't know what the selectors are thinking and what the criteria

is Farrah domestique. They have a lot of thinking to do be be --

between now and when they announce the team. There is the possibility

day could choose two, so you have to show what you can do on the day.

I would like to think if I stick to my race plan, have a good swim,

hard by can get a group a way, that would play into the domestique role

anyway. Difficult decisions and fine margins to be made. Let's see

which of the British women can cope with the pressure of one last shot

of impressing the selectors. Back Madrid event, already assured of

her place in Hyde Park on August 4th. But, we have a decent field. A

total of 66 lined up across the pontoons. Andrea Hewitt is No 1

from New Zealand, who was third in the first event this season in

Jan 10, 10 deep. -- jammed end. The early pace, coming from Andrea

Hewitt. 16 alongside tour, Liz Blatchford from Great Britain. That

is an encouraging start. -- No. 16, alongside her. This is an

interesting start for the British girls. There are still two slots

available. Vicky Holland, I guess, in the driving seat at the moment,

and Liz Blatchford is there alongside Jodie Stimpson, part of

the gold medal-winning team in the championship relay. Abbey

Thorington, swimming very well. Again, the strategy from the

British selectors, who do they pack? Somebody with a chance of a

medal? And if this does not apply, he would be the best to work with

Helen? Huge numbers of summers jamming together as they make that

first left hand turn, the first seven have got pretty clean water

at the front, the others are scrambling around in the wake and

the wash from the athletes that have gone before them. Heading back

towards the pontoon. Number 65. From Spain. There will be a huge

welcome for her. Trying to pick at some of the others. Abbey

Thorington, for Great Britain, making a very positive start. 40 K

on the bike. And that 10 kilometre run. And we swam alongside Abbey

Thorington, leading them through. The others quite well stretched

across the water. Quite an exciting start. She could be the one making

that last gasp effort to make the selectors take notice. She is

clearly determined to be one of the first out of the water, heading

towards the transition at the end of the second lap to pick up her

back. Others have got caught up in the melee behind her. Including,

Hewitt, number one. 900 because to go. Approaching the ramp. Coming

out of the water. Abbey Thorington, first to re enter the lake.

looks very spare. Very effective, slow strokes. Looks behind her. For

the British girls, there is really nothing to lose. That was the goods

when from Vicky Holland. Very good. Putting her marked down nice and

early. Caroline, 10th position. Not a bad start for all of the British

athletes. Liz Blatchford was not far behind. Look how well spread

out they are. Back to the front. Let us see family Thorington, No.

64. Starting to see that Pearce. -- starting to feel the pace.

looks to be in control. Looking over at each other. There is no

panic, she is very comfortable. She is turning smoothly. She did

exactly what the boy was. -- she knew exactly when that was. That

will give her some free space in transition. Nothing to lose for the

British girls, it is totally open at the moment and they have

everything to go for. Put yourself on the line and you might make that

Olympic Games slot. The second lap. Look at how dangerous it can be in

there. The swimming hats get pulled off, the goggles get discarded.

Injuries are a regular. As we watch from on high, deeper into the

second lap on the water. That overhead shot, you can see how slow

and controlled Abbey Thorington is. She knows exactly what she is doing,

she has got clean water. This is what they knock the goggles.

Conditions have been wonderful this weekend, barely a breath of wind

and warm water and blue skies. Madrid has provided perfect

facilities. One of the accolades, a British try applet, Abbey

Thorington, first out of the water, Holland is right in there. Liz

Blatchford has been up a few places. Six players. Making that late

attempt to get Olympic selection. That is a very positive start as

they come through. With five British athletes in the top 20, let

us hear from Mark Pearce, with Sonali... As predicted, Abbey was

first out of the water? Exactly as planned, she stumbled and she got

up. With the other Brits, they had a very strong opportunity to put

that quick transition under their belt, very hard on to the bike and

away they go. What is a race plan? They will try to drive at the front

of the race as hard as possible. We are seeing lots of other girls

getting left behind, they have to create as many caps as possible

really early. Vicky and Elizabeth need to make sure that they get on

to that first could? This is their opportunity, the perfect

opportunity to take this race on and do everything they can. If they

can get to the front, they can control this. The transition, the

Vicky Holland. Arriving at your bike. Others have already found

their way into the saddle and they are making their way out of

transition. She needs to be with that front group. We will get an

update with her progress as soon as we can. Andrea Hewitt. She has a

chance to close the gap. The new numbers, around 25. Around 20

seconds behind, coming out of transition. This will be a big

drive, as we saw with the men's race, very tough course and that

will take a lot of aggression to close that gap. There is a single

writer trying to close down. Chess Group, 52, from Switzerland,

they will head back and join the leaders. Svenja Bazlen, from

Germany, taking her turn at the front. Liz Blatchford, out of the

saddle, putting in the work. She is that the chase group. Trying to

close the gap but is she getting left behind? It looked as if she

was very -- working very hard to get back. Absolutely crucial that

she does get back on to that because to ride this caused by

yourself is just making more hard work. Jodie Stimpson looking very

comfortable at the front of that group. She seems to be holding her

place. No. 8. Second in the World Championships. Nicola Spirig. She

won the London test event in 2009. And she won this event in 2010. 30

years of age. Caroline is out of the race. And what a shame. We are

not sure why, but her race is at an end. The leading group. On the hill.

Looking for a chance to break away, possibly. There might be some

chatter among the first five. Plotting an opportunity to break

away. Svenja Bazlen, taking her turn at the front. Jodie Stimpson.

Alongside, the Vicky Holland. Both British athletes working on the

bikes. And that is one of the Swiss. That is Nicola Spirig. Taking her

turn. She has injected extra pace into the 40 K back leg. -- bike leg.

Over one minute between the leading group and the chess club. It seems

that the Richhill Chess Group will close that gap and they have got

back on an established a very big lead group. Around 30 applets. They

have over one net. One minute, is that too much time to catch up with

half of the bikes to go? Sounds like a lot. Especially in this heat.

Jodie Stimpson from Great Britain, clearly on a mission. She knows it

is now or never. In her quest for Olympic selection. That look of

absolute determination on her face. Fully concentrating on this. It is

such a tough call for the British athletes. Vicky Holland was out of

form for some time last year and Jodie Stimpson won the gold medal

as part of the British team on the relay. We have another one out.

Thorington. She was so important in the summing. Such a shame. As is

the race over for Lauren Campbell. Now, we have an opportunity to go

down to the transition and get the thoughts of my peers. -- Mark

Pearce. Jodie has been pushing the pace. She has been trying to were

the others down. Vicky Holland is holding her position well. They

will keep trying to keep the pressure on and take the sting out

of the robbers legs. -- runners. This is a great opportunity for

them to take this Olympics locked. -- Olympic slot. We heard that

Abbey Thorington had a puncture and tried to use a spare wheel that was

not ideally set up for her bike. Leading the way. The distance is

18.6 kilometres. They are over half-way on a bike. 19.2 for the

chasers. Back with the lead group. It seems like nobody is pushing at

all. They have almost backed off, very different from the earlier

pace with people trying to tackle from the fund. Liz Blatchford at

the front. This is the chase back. Anne Haug, she is a very strong

runner but she will not be able to use that unless she bridges the gap.

1.9 seconds, from the last information. She seems determined

to try to bridge that gap. The pace from the chase good, so much more

obvious than it was from the leaders. There Israel urgency

within this group. To try to close the gap and get involved. Many

other nations, not just the British team, this is a last chance for

Olympic selection. It will be made on the basis of the results in

Madrid. It is to part. To get as many slots for a country but also

to impress her country's selectors. Jackson from Australia at the back.

Jodie Stimpson, once again. We have not seen her too far away from the

front. Harrison, representing France. Quite a solid pace but

there does not seem to be anything exciting at the front. The time

difference between leaders and chasers is down to around 35

seconds, it will not be long before they closed the gap and form one

huge group at the front. They are ending lap No. 6, 2 laps to go.

Jodie Stimpson. Then Nicola Spirig. Barbara Riveros Diaz. Vanessa Raw

is in there, from Great Britain. The Vicky Holland. She is in the

next. Officially just four seconds. She is part of the leading group

and in the hunt for a potential podium finish. Liz Blatchford is

down with the chasing group. With a couple of laps through the park to

in two laughs. -- laps. We will be able to see what's Anne Haug is

capable of on the run. There is the gap now. We can see it from the

helicopter. It is closing by the second. Really good work by others

in the second group to push the pace and bridge the gap. The two

groups will shortly become one. That is the distance now. Next to

nothing. Big effort by Anne Haug at the front. She is the one that

wants to give herself a chance to represent Germany at the Olympic

Games. Daniela reef always willing to accept a challenge to go back

through it. These two groups are coming together. Anne Haug of

Germany who did a huge amount of the work within the chasing group

to close the gap has had two good results so far. 7th in Sydney, 7th

in San Diego. She has never been near the front at the end of the

bike. Today she will be in the front group and has a chance of

giving herself a last-gasp effort of giving herself a Olympic

selection. Come much will this take it out of their legs? Or is it pure

a gen -- adrenalin? Jodie Stimpson making a big effort at the front.

Jodie Stimpson leads the way. Also, Vicky Holland, Vanessa Raw and Liz

to keep out of trouble. A big group like this there is always a danger

there will be a collision. It is less likely because it is a drive

days -- dry day. Off the saddles, into the run and looking for a

clean, fast transition to get an opening pace on the run. Vicky

Holland, Jodie Stimpson coming through in 8th officially. No. Two

is an Hogg who did all the hard work on the bike for start she has

hung up a bike and looking for the exit door. Bar brother of Eros and

Diaz of Chile has struck at the front of the field in red and white.

So much at stake, so many athletes with a chance. Barbara has been a

bit down lately, she split from her coach and does not have a coach.

And Jodie Stimpson looking very strong. Aileen Morrison from

Ireland is there. Fingers crossed, a really hard worker. Just saw a

shot of Vanessa Raw in pretty good shape bus-stop Nicola Spirig from

Sweden -- Switzerland is in with a chance. Vanessa Raw is looking like

she might be struggling slightly at the back of this pack. Nicola

Spirig is out in front. Barbara already. Nicky spirit is so strong.

-- Nicola Spirig. Jodie Stimpson and looking comfortable at the

moment alongside Emma Jackson from Australia. Jessica Harrison, since

she left Great Britain has developed into such a good,

consistent athlete and does really well for France. The 29 year old

from Munich, and Hogg is alongside Nicola Spirig. Nicola Spirig is a

qualified lawyer. On the right, in the green for the Republic of

Ireland, Aileen Morrison, having the best race of her career so far.

Vicky Holland is what the front group as well. Well-positioned in

about 6th position at this stage with a fine opportunity. Liz

Blatchford is slightly further back and Jodie Stimpson just behind her.

An interesting start to the run stage as Holland starts to get

dropped. She is in 7th on her own. Lots of development and lots going

on and what does Mark Pearce and making it all?

Mickey has done an excellent job, she has swam really well and staked

a claim, whether in her own right off as a domestique. Jodie look

like she was riding really strong but she was further back in the

swim. They have all given the selectors a headache. I am sure it

is a headache they will deal with. Ainhoa Murua from Spain is

struggling to keep pace with the leaders. Vicky Holland might be

able to make up a place by overtaking Ainhoa Murua. Rachel

Klamer of the Netherlands. Rachel Klamer has found an extra kick,

which is a good recovery. Rachel Klamer is a youngster in this. The

Vicky Holland has not given up. Now she has got the athlete in front,

she will have her eyes peeled and that. Maurice and making her

intentions clear. Rachel Klamer 1 not give in. Barbara Diaz, her

first distance race for a few months, has shown she has not lost

anything by that. They are giving 100%. Jodie Stimpson just on the

shoulder of Jessica Harrison. Andrea Hewitt is some way off the

pace. Rachel Klamer of the Netherlands wearing No. 6 is off

the pace of this group, led by in Nicola Spirig. Barbara Diaz in

second. In third place is Aileen Morrison of the Republic of Ireland.

Anne Haug of Germany is 4th. It looks like the three podium places

will be between these four, and Nicola Spirig is moving things up.

She is applying the pressure and has some daylight. A good kick from

Nicola Spirig. The whole pace is hotting up. When they made their

move, Nicola Spirig really put the hammer down. Rachel Klamer not able

to stay with the lead. A statement of intense early on. Aileen

Morrison is not content to let it go. She is working hard. Nicola

Spirig has moved into a sprint. She can taste victory in Madrid. The

battle goes on behind her for second and third between Morrison

and Barbara Diaz. Nicola Spirig heads for home. She can see the

finishing line and she will win for Switzerland. Nicola Spirig wins in

Madrid, a fantastic second place for Aileen Morrison for the

Republic of Ireland with Barbour Diaz in third and Anne Haug, saved

enough after all the work on the bike to come home in 4th. Eight

seconds off the pace. It will be Rachel Klamer are the Netherlands

next is finish. What an exciting end to the elite women's race in

Madrid. With the five athletes finished, the interest and

excitement turns to Vicky Holland. There is Vicky Holland, has she

done enough? She is the first British finisher and that could be

the crucial element in making the Great Britain team for the Olympics

this year. Two fine results from Vicky Holland, 5th in San Diego,

7th in Madrid. Surely she has done enough to give herself the chance

of getting selected for the Olympic Games? But a win in Madrid it went

to Nicola Spirig, the former junior world champion, the current

European champion having a storming run in the world Championship

series event in Madrid, beating Aileen Morrison by three seconds.

Barbara tear gas -- Barbara Degas It is amazing. I wonder Barr years

ago. It is a great day for me. must be feeling confident ahead of

London 2012? Training is going very well and I am very happy. Hope it

is going like that until the Olympics. I found myself in a good

position. I slowly made my well -- way to the front in the run. It was

an awful cycle. I was surprised to be able to get off the bike and

move my legs. When I found myself at the front at the end of the

second lap, I thought it was nice and steady, push on as best as a

good. I could not get any closer than that. Even a sprint finish

involved, I could not have finished any higher, I am ecstatic. Turns is

not bad at all, but I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to pull

out of the race. It was such a strange day for me. I was telling

myself not to stop. 10th was good, considering. Every one is talking

about a Olympic selection, where are you in that process? Do you

think you impress the selectors today? I gave it my best shot, but

a hand on heart, I think Vicky has done enough. I think she deserves

to go alongside with talent. She pulled out another great

performance, you cannot put her down. Then there is the third slot,

who knows. Do you think you have done enough? The million dollar

question. I hope so. I was closer to the front, and I have shown

improvement. I was tactically aware, so I hope that has helped a my case.

My Alcombe, in the women's race you had two women, Liz Blatchford and

Vicky Holland, top 10, could they have done any more? They were both

outstanding and gave everything. They will always hoped a slightly

better, athletes always do. I was proud of them. I was also proud of

everybody else. Tim Don was going for a podium and did not get

anywhere near. Will Clarke thinks he has shown you guys he can be a

domestique. Is that an option you will go down? We have a lot of

evidence to look at, we have 18 months of evidence. All of those

races. Race performances are important but there is other

material as well. It is premature to say yes or no. Johnny got his

second gold medal of the season, he was a wowing the crowds. He must

have wow due this weekend? I was in the backwoods, so I did not see the

finish. I could see him running and he ran very well. I think the San

Diego race a couple of months ago has helped him move forward. Johnny

makes it two out of two with another gold medal. As for the

other Brits, they have swum, cycled and run as hard as they can. There

is nothing more they can do is. It is up to selectors to find out who